The Union of Students in Ireland has responded angrily to the news that the level of third-level grants in the 1998-99 academic year will be increased by under 2 per cent. The current rate of inflation is 2.5 per cent.
The maximum grant for students living away from home will rise by 1.7 per cent from £1,624 to £1,652, and for those living at home by 2 per cent from £647 to £660. Family income thresholds for ascertaining grant eligibility have been increased by 3.2 per cent.
"This means the student grant will increase by 77 pence per week for students living away from home and 36 pence per week for those living at home. This is an outrageous situation and one which is an insult to students," said the USI president, Mr Colman Byrne.
"In a week when over 65,000 students are sitting the Leaving Certificate, it is disgraceful to think that many of them will receive the points required to attend third-level institutions, but will be barred from participation due to lack of financial resources."
The USI poverty survey, to be published next Monday, would show that "many students are living on the poverty line." USI's education officer, Mr Malcolm Byrne, said that in the week in which new social welfare rates were introduced, "these new grant rates make it even more of a disincentive for somebody on a low income to go on to higher education. You are better off on the dole than on a third-level grant."
However, USI strongly welcomed the announcement from the Department of Education that the income limit for receiving a grant will be raised by £2,060 for each student in a family studying across a range of courses. For the first time, this will include students taking a PLC course, doing student nurse or Garda training, doing a CERT course of one year or more, or attending a full-time Teagasc course in an agricultural college.
"This move will make it easier for many middle-income families to qualify for grants," said Mr Byrne.
Another innovation is that the student grants scheme has been extended to those taking third-level foundation courses and those moving up from a three-year pass or general degree to a four-year honours degree. This will help more disadvantaged students in particular.